Rating: 
Summary: Not even close to earlier works
Review: I am a big Irving fan, but this novel disappointed me. It was confusing...not Irving at his best.
Rating: 
Summary: Irving's funniest
Review: Unlike other reviewers, I loved this book from the moment I started. I haven't read all of Irvings others -- I admit to having problems getting into some of them, although loved Garp and Owen Meany. But A Son of the Circus has to be his best -- Irving must have the quirkiest imagination ever -- there's a little bit of everything -- drawfs, transvestites, murder, etc., along with all sorts of twists and turns -- funny, funny, funny!
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable but not his best.
Review: Full of visual imagery and humorous, I found this book engrossing despite its predictability. Irving's style is highly evident in the parade of odd and freakish characters which unfortunately were not as endearing as 'Owen Meany'. Despite finishing strong, 'The Son of the Circus' was slow to catch my interest. In fact my first attempt to read it was abandoned and I did not return to it for a year. My second attempt, I perservered and in the last two-thirds of the novel, the plot of the murder/mystery as well as the themes of disassociation became clear and interesting. However, some of the dialogue I found superfluous and repetitive. Overall, a satisfying effort for true John Irving fans but for those new to him, I would recommend 'Owen Meaney' or 'Cider House Rules'.
Rating:
Summary: Astonishing
Review: Well, what is there really to say? I could try to write a long and analyzing review of this book, but why should I? Everything you need to know is in it. It's hard to even begin to describe the plot of 'A son of the Circus' since it's just too complex. It's also a quite long story, and far from linear. Nevertheless, you're never too confused, and definitely never border. When you read you feel the John Irving cares for you. In every page there is so much to enjoy. If it isn't the plot, you can always marvel at the moods he's setting. I read parts of the book on the subway and whenever I looked up I found people were watching me, since the expression on my face either kept changing or was beign very vivid.
Rating:
Summary: Good read for existing Irving fans
Review: The New York Times review nails the strengths and weaknesses of this book. It is an enjoyable read, with the typical abundance of action and subplots in a John Irving (surprisingly, nobody ever dressed up in a bear suit!). However, the "issues" it attempts to address are not handled adeptly as in Garp or Owen Meany. Also, the book took some time to capture my interest--the first 150 to 200 pages (paperback) were slow going with too many characters being introduced. Once past that mark, though, things improved.Definitely worth reading for those who are John Irving fans, but not to be read before his more famous works. One key indication that Son of the Circus was not as well-executed as his others is the fact that about half of the characters whose fates were addressed in the epilogue were people who I had to be reminded of in order to care what eneed up happening to them.
Rating: 
Summary: JOHN IRVING, YOU REALLY LET ME DOWN THIS TIME !
Review: I BECAME AN IRVING FAN THE FIRST TIME I CAME ACROSS ONE OF HIS BOOKS (THAT WAS THE MARVELOUS "THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP")AND I HAVE BEEN A FAITHFUL READER OF ALL HIS BOOKS (EXCLUDING "SETTING FREE THE BEARS" AND "THE WATER METHOD MAN") EVER SINCE. I HAVE REALLY BEEN FEASTING ON EACH ONE OF HIS BOOKS WHICH ARE IN MY OPINION TRUE MASTERPIECES OF LITERATURE. WHEN I SPOTTED "A SON OF THE CIRCUC" I THOUGHT I HAD ANOTHER CELEBRATION IN STORE BUT TO MY DEEP REGRET AND ALMOST SORROW, THIS BOOK PROVED TO BE A BITTER DISAPOINTMENT TO ME EARLY FROM THE FIRST PAGES. IN SPITE OF MY STRONG EFFORTS TO GIVE IT MORE TRY AND MAYBE BE PROVEN WRONG, THE SITUATION ONLY GOT WORSE AND I JUST HAD TO LEAVE THE BOOK BECAUSE AT CERTAIN TIMES, I FELT THAT I KEEP READIND MECHANICALLY AND THE SENTENCES WON"T SINK IN. THIS WAS A TREMENDOUS TWOFOLD DISSAPOINTMENT:FIRST BECAUSE OF MY BEING - AS MENTIONED BEFORE- AN OLD IRVING FAN AND SECONDLY BECAUSE INDIA - AS A BOOK SETTING - HAS ALWAYS HOLD A LOT OF CHARM FOR ME. I ADMIT TO BE ENTHRALLED BY THIS FASCINATING COUNTRY.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Irving Classic
Review: Picking up on the same themes he always does, Irving weaves a sad, captivating novel. By saying he uses the same themes, I do not mean to say this in a derogatory sense; I read Irving because I love how he toys with faith, love, and sexuality in a way that is always unique. This time, Irving adds a wonderful plot of mystery and intrigue that keeps one wondering throughout the novel. In the meantime, he tells a story of the low, the poor, the opressed and the unloved. It does not paint a great picture of India, but it certainly does give an interesting one. As the mystery unfolds, Dr. Daruwalla cintinues to try to come to grips with who he is and his own identity. What is home? How do we know who we are? These are essential questions that in some way are not ever fully answered. We can identify with his desire to help people who need help, knowing that there are millions upon millions of others who also need the same help. This is one of Irving's best novels to date and is deserving of the accolades it has received.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: A Son Of The Circus pales in comparison to Irving's other works. It is a Mystery without the mystery, a Suspense Novel without the suspense, and a Thriller without the thrills. Read this novel only if you don't mind being let down.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, Mr. Irving
Review: Derivative, derivative, derivative. Son of the Circus is John Irving stealing from John Irving. Yes, he pulls out all his best tricks, but that's what they feel like here. In A Prayer for Owen Meany, Mr. Irving goes into your very soul and holds it up before you. It is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. Here, he manipulates your soul all throughout a great big fat book. Shame on you, Mr. Irving. I trusted you with my soul. I expect great things of you. In the end, one can't help but feel they had read or dreamed this book before.
Rating:
Summary: John Irving At His Best
Review: This may surpass 'A Prayer For Owen Meany' as my favorite John Irving novel. It had all of the typical trademarks of Irving in one sense, but the story line was like nothing that he has touched in the past. Dr. Daruwalla may just be his best creation yet. There was such a great sense of mystery and intrigue and just a general sense of foreignness throughout (which followed through with Irving's theme of a doctor who never really felt like anywhere was his real home). I will have to say that the first 175 pages or so were difficult for me to get through, but after that point, I was hooked. This was one of those books that you feel sorry about putting down. I'm sure I'll read it again sometime down the road - I can't wait to go back.
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